Books I've Loved

The Housemaid Series - Freida McFadden

The Housemaid will always hold a special place in my reading life. It’s the book that pulled me out of a long, stubborn slump; the kind where nothing sticks, nothing excites you, and you start to wonder if maybe you’ve just… lost the spark. And then this story came along and reminded me exactly why I love reading in the first place.

From the very first chapter, there’s this addictive, creeping tension that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. It’s fast, it’s twisty, and it has that perfect “just one more chapter” energy that suddenly turns into staying up way too late because you have to know what happens next. I remember feeling that old familiar thrill. It's the kind where you’re fully absorbed, flipping pages without even realizing how quickly you’re moving.

What makes this book so memorable isn’t just the twists (though they’re fabulous), but the way it balances chaos with emotion. There’s a rawness to the characters, a sense of being trapped and underestimated, that makes the unraveling feel incredibly satisfying. It’s dramatic in all the right ways, but grounded enough that you can’t help rooting for the right people and side eyeing everyone else.

Coming back to it now, years later, I can still feel that spark. That moment where reading became fun again, where a story reminded me how good it feels to be completely swept away. The Housemaid isn’t just a thriller for me; it’s a turning point. A reminder that the right book at the right time can wake something up inside you.

It’s messy, gripping, dramatic, and wildly entertaining & for me, it will always be the book that brought me back.

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The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold

This book is haunting, beautiful, and absolutely devastating in the best way. It pulled me in immediately and refused to let go, wrapping itself around me with its mix of grief, hope, and quiet resilience. There’s a softness to the pain in these pages,  the kind that doesn’t overwhelm you, but settles into your chest and stays there, reminding you of everything you’ve lost and everything you’re still holding onto.

The storytelling is so immersive that I kept catching myself sinking deeper and deeper into it without even realizing. Every chapter feels intentional, threaded with emotion that never once feels forced. It’s the kind of book that doesn’t just tell a story; it lives in you for a while, reshaping the way you think about love, loss, and the small ways people keep going even when it feels impossible.

I first read this book in high school, and even then it left an imprint I couldn’t quite explain. Recently, I picked it up again because I wanted to understand why it had stayed with me for so long. And honestly? The impact is just as powerful now and maybe even more so. Coming back to it with more life behind me made the grief sharper, the hope sweeter, and the quiet moments of resilience hit in a completely different way.

It’s rare for a book to hold up across years, across versions of yourself, but this one does. It lingers. It settles. It reminds you why certain stories carve themselves into your memory and never really leave.

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1984 - George Orwell

1984 is a timeless classic for a reason. I enjoyed it when I first read it in school and appreciated it even more as an adult. 

Orwell’s concept of a tightly controlled, surveillance heavy, society is fascinating and unsettling. He presents it in a way that keeps you engaged from the very beginning. It’s thought provoking, sharply written, and one of those books that stays relevant no matter when you read it. This book truly stands the test of time.

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Harry Potter - The Full Series - J.K. Rowling

I’ve lost count how many times I’ve read, and re-read, this series. Every time I return, it feels like stepping back onto the Hogwarts Express headed to a world that’s as comforting as it is magical. 

J.K. Rowling has an unmatched ability to transport you so completely that you forget you’re reading fiction and start believing that Hogwarts could be real, and your letter is on its way.

These books are more than a series - they’re an experience. They’re emotional, immersive, filled with characters, moments, and memories that stay with you long after you’ve closed the book. No matter how many years pass, they still bring the same sense of wonder and escape.

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The Inheritance Cycle - Christopher Paolini

Sixth grade me absolutely loved this book. Eragon was the first dragon story I ever picked up, and I couldn’t put it down. Re-reading this as an adult only made me appreciate it more. 

The world building, adventure packed, pacing still held up well. It’s a fantastic read that keeps you hooked from the start. The authors imagination shines through each chapter, and it’s easy to see why this book is such a staple for many. It’s engaging, nostalgic & fun.

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Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult

I haven’t yet met a Jodi Picoult book I didn’t like. She’s an incredible storyteller who keeps you fully engaged from start to finish. 

This bone chilling, deeply detailed, and packet with emotion novel is a must read. It really makes you think about the world around you, the people around you, what they might be going through beneath the surface.

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The Giver - Lois Lowry

This book is a true classic, one that everyone should read. 

The vivid details of its carefully crafted utopia, built to shield people from pain, hardship, and love are completely captivating. The author’s ability to make you feel and empathize with the characters is genuinely unique.

I will forever recommend this book to anyone willing to listen!

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The Twilight Saga - Stephanie Meyer

This was a fantastic series - once you start reading the books, you can’t put them down. 

I really enjoyed reading about the lives of vampires and werewolves surviving in a small town. 

These books brought humor, charm, sadness, grief, and suspense at times. The details in these books make you feel like you are truly there.

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